The Best Day Trips From Saranda

Saranda is one of the most important coastal towns of the Balkans and one of the best places to spend the summer in Albania. The town is surrounded by gorgeous pristine beaches, perfect to spend some time to relax, but Saranda offers many interesting day trips that you could include in your travel itinerary. Read our list of the best places to see just a day from lovely Saranda.

1. Ksamil

Forest, Natural Feature

South of Saranda, there is Ksamil, one of the best beach destinations in Albania. Ksamil is also called “the Ionian pearl” because of its beauty. It is located in a dramatic setting, a bay with three small islands reachable by swim or a boat ride and surrounded by turquoise waters. We suggest that you avoid Ksamil in August, because it is very crowded.

2. Butrint Archaeological Park

Archaeological site, Museum, Park

Inhabited since the prehistoric times, Butrint was once a Greek colony, a Roman colony, and a bishopric. It is the largest and most famous archaeological park in Albania and a UNESCO World Heritage Site too. The highlights here are the theatre, baptistery, and basilica. Uptown, there is also a museum with interesting artefacts.

5. Delvina

Archaeological site, Church, Mosque

If you want to explore non-touristic places and discover the real spirit of Albania, avoid the beaches and reach Delvina. Despite its small sizes, this enchanting hamlet built on a mountain slope is home to a mosque, a Catholic church, a Protestant church, and an Orthodox church too. You’ll not find crowds here, so enjoy every single minute of your journey.

6. Finiq

Archaeological site, Museum

Although Butrint is more beautiful and important than any other archaeological park in the country, Albania is home to other interesting sites that you can include in your travel itinerary. Only 19 minutes by car from Saranda, you can reach the archaeological park of Finiq, one of the wealthiest cities of the Epirus in ancient times. In the Byzantine times, Finiq was turned into a bishopric.

7. Corfu

Archaeological site, Museum

Probably one of the most cosmopolitan islands of Greece, Corfu has a stunning capital which features excellent examples of Venetian architecture. Despite cases of heavy rain and thunderstorms, the winter weather in Corfu is usually surprisingly sunny and warm, and you shouldn’t be surprised if you spot some Corfiots swimming and bathing in the sea in the winter. You can reach the island by ferry in less than two hours from Saranda. Obviously, one day is not enough to visit the enchanting Ionian island, but in 24 hours you can easily see its lovely city center, reach the old fortress to admire a stunning panorama over the old town and sea, and taste some typical Greek delicacies.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

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Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.